Description

IC TRANSCEIVER DIP16 232
The MAX220–MAX249 family of line drivers/receivers is intended for all EIA/TIA-232E and V.28/V.24 communica- tions interfaces, particularly applications where ±12V is not available. The MAX225, MAX233, MAX235, and MAX245/MAX246/ MAX247 use no external components and are recommended for applications where printed circuit board space is critical. The MAX220-MAX249 are offered in 26 different pack- ages with temperatures from 0 to +70°C up to -55°C to +125°C. See ordering information table at the end of the data sheet for all package and temperature options.

RS232 is, in many ways, a living fossil. While the relatively low data rates don't qualify the protocol as a high-speed communication interface, it's robustness and ease of implementation nevertheless make it attractive.

One of Dallas Maxim's absolute evergreens is the MAX232- a nifty transceiver IC which makes use of a capacitor based voltage boosting circuit to generate the voltage levels needed for fullly protocol compliant RS232 communication.

Having a second source makes evergreens even more popular. Texas Instruments is an international semiconductor powerhouse, and has been offering a second source alternative for quite some time. If you ever need to perform a fully protocol compliant RS232 communication and don't have access to the needed voltage levels, don't burden your design with complex boost regulators.

Instead, do it like the elders have done - a MAX232, a few capacitors, and have a happy day. The part is available in a DIP housing: convenient for small scale production and prototyping.